Youth gangs rampage during Bonfire Night chaos as disorder breaks out across country

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Violence seen across Scotland on Bonfire Night has been branded as 'wholly unacceptable', after chaos erupted across the country.

Shocking scenes of disorder were witnessed in Edinburgh, where streets were locked down as youths hurled fireworks at cars, businesses, and emergency crews.

Riot cops were called out to deal with thugs in the Sighthill, Niddrie and Moredun areas of the capital. Officers and police vehicles had fireworks, bottles and bricks rained down on them. Two fire engines were also attacked as they attended.

In Glasgow 'small pockets' of disorder was reported after youths were spotted launching fireworks towards oncoming traffic in Pollokshields.

Police across Scotland deployed Operation Moonbeam to deal with the carnage, while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) say they had more than 1,000 calls come in.

Police Scotland have not yet confirmed how many arrests have been made as a result of the incidents.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander of Operation Moonbeam said: "I firstly want to recognise the outstanding courage and professionalism of all of those emergency service workers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep communities safe.

“Their actions ensured that some of the challenging scenes we witnessed this year did not escalate into mass disorder, on the scale of what we experienced last year.

“Nevertheless, the levels of violence and aggression police officers, fire service and ambulance service personnel faced in some areas was wholly unacceptable and a significant investigative response is now underway to identify each and every one of those involved and bring them to justice."

Police say there were no injuries to members of the public or emergency service workers from the disorder witnessed in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

A man was treated at the scene of a skate park in Peterhead after a pyrotechnic device was ignited. The 33-year-old was struck by a group who fled in a van and was treated by paramedics at the scene. Officers are trying to trace the suspects and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Police say the number of firework disorder related incidents they attended were down from the Bonfire Night last year. Last night specialist officers were deployed to only 18 incidents, where as last year they were sent to 26.

One female officer was injured on Halloween evening after a brick was thrown through the window of a police vehicle in Edinburgh. Last year the Force said that 62 officers were injured after being targeted by fireworks and other projectiles.

The Record reported last night how gangs of masked youths targeted an Edinburgh petrol station and set fire to roads.

Locals were left 'terrified' as the yobs marched down the street armed with 'bats and fireworks'. Footage from the scene captured multiple fires being lit on the main road and fireworks being aimed at a nearby petrol station - sparking panic.

Yobs also hurled fireworks into a 'dessert shop' causing a huge explosion inside. A terrifying clip was filmed by a resident near Moredunvale Road.

In Glasgow police raced to Pollokshields where thugs were spotted firing rockets at moving traffic. One resident took to social media saying that cops were "helplessly outnumbered".

Drew Somerville posted on X: "Just another November 5th in Pollokshields, a fire, display-strength fireworks being let off in the street by the dozen. Police Scotland helplessly outnumbered. When will we have these unnecessary, unwanted idiot 'toys' banned?"

Chief Constable Mairs said that police across Scotland had prepared for disorder after carrying out work with local authorities. He said the Force took "preventative enforcement action" before crimes could take place.

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Andy Watt, Deputy Chief Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "I would like to pay tribute to the professionalism and resilience of our frontline crews.

“Operations Control firefighters answered over 1,000 calls tonight and have once again worked tirelessly to ensure we respond to those who need us the most. Unfortunately, several of our crews came under attack across Scotland, with six attacks within three hours.

“Crews were bombarded with missiles and fireworks while responding to emergency incidents.

“These attacks prevent our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, and can impact on our emergency service colleagues - including the police when they must escort us at the scene.

"This type of behaviour is, of course, carried out by a very small minority and we once again thank our communities for their continuing support and working together with us to stay safe across the Bonfire period.”

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